Local government minister, Phil Woolas, is expected to announce an end to business rate relief on empty properties soon. It is hoped the move will encourage firms to bring empty shops, offices and factory buildings back into use. The number of empty property in London has doubled since 1999. At present, most empty commercial property gets 100% relief from taxation for the first three months, and 50% thereafter. Warehouses and factories receive 100% relief at all times.
